Definition of abortive

Definitions

abortive

noun

(Obsolete): That which is born or brought forth prematurely; an abortion. - Shakespeare, Richard III, I-iii
(Obsolete): A fruitless effort or issue.
A medicine to which is attributed the property of causing abortion, abortifacient - Dunglison

adjective

(Rare): Produced by abortion; born prematurely; as, an child.
(Obsolete): Made from the skin of a still-born animal; as, vellum.
(Obsolete): Rendering fruitless or ineffectual.
Quotations
- Plunged in that gulf. Milton
Coming to naught; failing in its effect; miscarrying; fruitless; unsuccessful; as, an attempt.

Quotations
An enterprise. - Prescott
(biology): Imperfectly formed or developed; rudimentary; sterile; as, an organ, stamen, ovule, etc.
(medicine): Causing abortion; as, medicines. - Parr
(medicine): Cutting short; as, abortive treatment of typhoid fever.

Etymology: Latin abortivus, from aboriri. See abort, (verb)

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